Passports & Visas Parents

Passports & Visas

PASSPORTS

It is the participant’s responsibility to be sure all their own traveling documents are in order to travel to France. You can find details regarding U.S. passports here: U.S. Passports and International Travel.

All participants (including Organizing Teachers and Adult participants) are required to supply VIE with a legible copy of their valid* passport. Copies of passports must be submitted to VIE by November 15 for Spring travelers and by January 15 for Summer travelers. It can take 2-5 months to receive a new or renewed passport. Please plan accordingly in order to have the passport copies to VIE by the above dates.

*Valid Passport: According to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs; to travel to France a passport “must be valid for a minimum of six months at entry, and valid for an additional three months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen Area” (France being in the Schengen Area).

PLEASE BE SURE YOUR PASSPORT FITS WITHIN THESE GUIDELINES! If your passport does not fit within these guidelines, the air agents at the airport will refuse boarding to the traveler.

Before departure, students will receive around-the-neck passport pouches from VIE. Please see that they use them! We also recommend that they make three photocopies of the inside front page of their passport: one to turn in to the teacher, another to carry separately in their luggage, and a copy to leave at home. Having a copy will greatly facilitate replacing a lost document.

VISAS

At this time a visa is not required for U.S. citizens traveling to France; we will notify you if this situation changes.

Non-U.S. citizens must contact their nearest French Consulate immediately for any necessary visas. VIE is not responsible for obtaining visas for foreign citizens; however, VIE will provide any necessary documentation to help in obtaining a visa, upon request. To find the French Consulate nearest you, click on this link: French Consulate Map of the U.S.

VIE is a student travel organization, incorporated in Minnesota, which was created by educators with a personal background in teaching and overseas travel.The quality of our programs has given us a reputation for excellence among French teachers, many of whom travel with their students through VIE year after year.